Agriculture remains as a key part of the Malaysia’s economy and export output. Thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic which has plagued the majority of 2020, the adoption of more efficient technology has been at the forefront of the sector. As such, the agriculture and plantation sector is expected to see a huge increase in adoption of drone technology this year due to the increase in demand and technology readiness, thus enabling a technology-driven transformation to ensure efficiency and sustainability.
Malaysia Digital Economy Cooperation (MDEC) DroneTech and Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) Ecosystem manager Wan Mohd Farhan Wan Mohd Fuad said the Covid-19 pandemic has played a major part in boosting and accelerated the need for digitalisation and acceptance of drone technology in the sector.
“With the pandemic and Movement Control Order (MCO) since last year, technology like drone is seen as a more cost-effective and better option especially for conventional industries in Malaysia, for example, paddy farming and oil palm plantations,” he said during the 1st Virtual World Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Summit.
Wan Mohd Farhan also mentioned that MDEC is currently exploring the potential of drones as a means to offer cross-border delivery with neighboring country. The organisation is open to the idea and is eager to test such a system in the near future with willing partner nations.
As such, MDEC will need to identify more drone technology and various players locally and globally to consolidate information and data, as well as helping the companies within the drone development and manufacturing industry to grow further in the market.
“From a national perspective, we are going to create high-value job opportunities and increase digital adoption rate in conventional industries,” Wan Mohd Farhan added.
In addition, MDEC will continue to advise the public about the rules and regulations to ensure the risk related to drone flying are mitigated, as more private and commercial drone users are using the equipment for various purposes.
